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Resident urges Cheney to oppose Avista deal that could allow a single very large electricity user
Summary
A Cheney resident asked the council to formally oppose an Avista agreement that could permit a single large customer to use an amount of electricity equal to more than half the county’s combined residential and business usage; the speaker suggested the proposed project may be a data center and warned of water‑supply impacts.
During public comment Corinna Donnerberg asked the council to take action opposing an Avista agreement she said would allow a single large electricity customer to use an amount of energy equal to more than half the combined residential and business power used in Spokane County. Donnerberg cited a June 3 Spokesman‑Review article and said she believes the project is likely a data center and could place a “disastrous” strain on local water resources and wildfire‑response capacity.
Donnerberg urged the city to work with regional partners and consider a moratorium similar to one reportedly under consideration in Spokane. She noted: “The people of Cheney deserve to have our water supply protected…We need water to fight wildfires.” Council did not take immediate legislative action on the request but council members discussed that approval authority for large utility contracts may rest with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission and that regional coordination would be necessary.
The comment was received during the public‑comment period; staff and council indicated awareness of the larger regional conversation but did not adopt a formal position at the meeting.
